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Second Cargo Aircraft In As Many Months Ditches In Caribbean
Sea

A Tol-Air Services Inc.
Twin Beech 18 (file photo, right) in cargo configuration was
forced to ditch Tuesday in a canal on the west side of the island
of Culebra, a municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
itself a territory of the United States.

The pilot, Luis Hernandez, and crewmember Epifanio Mora,
reported they had unspecified mechanical problems with the aircraft
and were forced to ditch the aircraft in the Luis Peña
Canal.

They were able to exit the aircraft after setting it down on the
water, and were rescued by fishermen and residents of the area.
They were treated at the municipal Diagnostic and Treatment Center
in Culebra and were last reported in stable condition, sources told
El Nuevo Dia.

Tol-Air Services spokesperson Juan Rivera stated the aircraft
was returning from a cargo run to the island of Antigua, and was
empty at the time of the accident. The aircraft is sitting under 20
feet of water in the canal, which lies under the jurisdiction of
the Commonwealth Department of Natural Resources. The NTSB and FAA
are investigating, and will decide if they aircraft will be
salvaged as part of the investigation.